Shrubs and trees. Leaves usually alternate and spiral, simple, often with toothed margin. Stipules absent. Flowers regular, bisexual, white-yellowish, placed in spike like clusters, sepals 5 fused at base, petals 5 fused at base, lobes overlapping, stamens many, attached to corolla between lobes, ovary inferior. Fruit a 2-5 celled drupe with persistent calyx on top.
General info
Distribution Only one genus which is widespread in the tropics of Indo-Australia and America. Ecology More common at higher elevations in the understorey of forests. Uses Leaves of some species are eaten. Similar to Alangiaceae, but these have free petals and only 1 ovule per cell and a berry as fruit. Ebenaceae, but these have untoothed leaves, an superior ovary and berries. Rosaceae, but these have stipules. Theaceae, but these have berries or capsules.
Family description
Shrubs and trees.Leaves usually alternate and spiral, simple, often with toothed margin. Stipules absent.
Flowers regular, bisexual, white-yellowish, placed in spike like clusters, sepals 5 fused at base, petals 5 fused at base, lobes overlapping, stamens many, attached to corolla between lobes, ovary inferior.
Fruit a 2-5 celled drupe with persistent calyx on top.
General info
Distribution Only one genus which is widespread in the tropics of Indo-Australia and America.Ecology More common at higher elevations in the understorey of forests.
Uses Leaves of some species are eaten.
Similar to Alangiaceae, but these have free petals and only 1 ovule per cell and a berry as fruit. Ebenaceae, but these have untoothed leaves, an superior ovary and berries. Rosaceae, but these have stipules. Theaceae, but these have berries or capsules.
Treated genera
Symplocos.pdf
Symplocaceae of Asia website
Symplocos ophirensis